Louisianians with concealed-carry handgun permits will be further protected from the unlawful publication of their personal information if Gov. Bobby Jindal signs legislation given final approval by the Senate on Thursday, the last day of the 2013 session.

House Bill 8 by Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Bossier City, would enforce penalties of up to six months in jail and $10,000 on those who
"intentionally disseminate for publication" the personal information, such as names and addresses, of concealed-carry permit holders. Under state law, such information is already exempted from public records requests, but there are no specific penalties in place for those who release it.

However, amendments added to the bill in conference committee would ensure there would be no penalties issued if the concealed-handgun permit holder had approved the information release or if it was already in the public domain. Publication would be allowable if the permit holder committed a felony involving a gun or if subject to a court order.

Thompson has said the legislation was introduced largely as a reaction to the publication of New York gun permit holders' names and addresses by the Lower Hudson Valley news service, The Journal News, in December. He said permit holders' lives and property were put at risk by the release and he wants to ensure such publication will be penalized in Louisiana.

"I find it very ironic
that the very people who screamed the loudest about
attempts to limit their Second Amendment rights are here eager to limit
my First Amendment rights," Redman said during a May 7 Senate committee hearing.

The Senate and House approved various amendments added in conference committee. The Senate voted 34-2 to accept the legislation; the House voted 91-2. The four lawmakers who voted against are: Sens. Karen Carter Peterson, Edwin Murray -- both New Orleans Democrats -- and Reps. Ted James and Patricia Haynes Smith -- both Baton Rouge Democrats.

Also on Thursday, the Senate gave final approval to House Bill 98, also sponsored by Thompson, which would allow sheriffs to recognize concealed handgun permits issued by neighboring parishes. In Louisiana, both the State Police and individual parish sheriffs have the power to issue the permits.